I teach at a 'high achieving' school - which means that the students are over-worked and expected to manage AP classes, extra-curriculars and many with part-time jobs.
I have adjusted my approach to rehearsal schedules year to year, shown great leniency to my students who are involved in band, choir, athletics, ASB, whatever it may be - to a certain extent. My students also are made aware, however, that they need to be pro-active before deciding to audition for a show or register for a class to look at their calendars.
I think I have developed a reputation as one who is able to compromise - often times asking kids to leave track practice 30 minutes early and arrive to rehearsal 30 minutes late if we have a 1-hr overlap. But sometimes it just doesn't work. Some activities can't work together (Mock Trial and our Fall play overlap too much) and kids learn pretty quick that sometimes they have to make the choice.
It has been a growing point of frustration as our school has created a growing list of opportunities and I know my choreographer for our musicals really hates having holes in every dance rehearsal. We have developed policies in their audition contract that if they miss a dance rehearsal, for ANY reason, they may end up not being put into that dance number.
Next year I am actually adding at least two productions to our calendar to allow for all productions to have smaller casts and slightly lighter rehearsal schedules. Fewer opportunities in each show - but more opportunities overall for my students. I may have a nervous breakdown, but I am just trying to provide more chances. I will have limits in place about how many shows per year students are allowed to be involved in. It will also provide additional chances for the kids who can't fit Drama class into their schedule (either because of academics or the growing number of "Leadership" courses) to perform and be involved.
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Seth Cohen
Rancho Palos Verdes CA
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-24-2015 10:19
From: Marya Lucca-Thyberg
Subject: Busy students
We have an award winning marching band and color guard at our school and a very active band program. It has grown steadily in the 14 years I have been here. As the band program has grown it has made it more and more difficult for students to participate in curricular and extra curricular theatre programs.
I am sure there are other schools that "share" students. Do you have any tips as to how to handle rehearsal scheduling? Do you ask students to "choose"? I want to do the best for the school, the students and both programs.
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Marya Lucca-Thyberg
Bellevue NE
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